February 3, 2025 •
Vermont Increases Contribution Limits

Flag of Vermont
The state’s Elections Division increased contribution limits to adjust for inflation. Under the revised limits, contributions per election cycle are capped at $5,180 for statewide candidates and PACs; $1,290 for state House candidates; and $1,940 for state Senate candidates.
The state’s Elections Division increased contribution limits to adjust for inflation. Under the revised limits, contributions per election cycle are capped at $5,180 for statewide candidates and PACs; $1,290 for state House candidates; and $1,940 for state Senate candidates.
February 3, 2025 •
Maine Increases Contribution Limits

The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices raised contribution limits based on adjustments to the consumer price index. Individuals, PACs, and corporations may now contribute up to $2,075 per election to gubernatorial candidates; $500 per election to legislative candidates; […]
The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices raised contribution limits based on adjustments to the consumer price index. Individuals, PACs, and corporations may now contribute up to $2,075 per election to gubernatorial candidates; $500 per election to legislative candidates; and $600 per election for municipal candidates. The next adjustment to contribution limits is expected to occur in 2027.
February 3, 2025 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Alaska: “Ranked Choice Voting Opponents Fined $157K for Repeated Violations of Campaign Reporting Requirements” by Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) for Yahoo News California: “California Blesses Political Donors’ Strategy to Multiply Their Influence” by Alexei Koseff (CalMatters) for MSN National: “Prosecutors Seek Dismissal […]
Campaign Finance
Alaska: “Ranked Choice Voting Opponents Fined $157K for Repeated Violations of Campaign Reporting Requirements” by Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) for Yahoo News
California: “California Blesses Political Donors’ Strategy to Multiply Their Influence” by Alexei Koseff (CalMatters) for MSN
National: “Prosecutors Seek Dismissal of Campaign Finance Case Against Ex-Nebraska Congressman Fortenberry” by Associated Press for MSN
Elections
National: “Democrats Elect Ken Martin, Head of Minnesota Party, as Next Chair” by Patrick Svitek (Washington Post) for MSN
Ethics
National: “Ethics Pledges by Trump Cabinet Draw Questions and Skepticism” by Eric Lipton (New York Times) for DNyuz
Illinois: “Illinois Governor Bans Jan. 6 Rioters Pardoned by Trump from State Jobs” by Tobi Raji (Washington Post) for MSN
North Dakota: “Bill Offers Immunity from Conflict Crimes to North Dakota Lawmakers If They Follow Ethics Rules” by Jeff Beach (North Dakota Monitor) for Yahoo Ndews
Utah: “Audit: Utah AG Reyes’ office lacked transparency and his involvement in the office was minimal” by Emma Pitts (Deseret News) for MSN
January 31, 2025 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 31, 2025

National/Federal How Redistricting Helped Republicans Win the House DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti and Michael Wines (New York Times) | Published: 1/26/2025 Competition is an endangered species in legislative elections. A New York Times analysis of the nearly 6,000 congressional and state legislative […]
National/Federal
How Redistricting Helped Republicans Win the House
DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti and Michael Wines (New York Times) | Published: 1/26/2025
Competition is an endangered species in legislative elections. A New York Times analysis of the nearly 6,000 congressional and state legislative elections in November shows just how few races were true races. Nearly all were dominated by an incumbent or played out in a district drawn to favor one party overwhelmingly. The result was a blizzard of blowouts, even in a country that is narrowly divided on politics. Roughly 90 percent of races are now decided not by general-election voters in November but by the partisans who tend to vote in primaries.
Denmark and Other Nations Under Pressure Seek Lobbyists with Trump Ties
DNyuz – Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) | Published: 1/27/2025
The government of Denmark has not historically been a big spender on Washington lobbying. But days before Donald Trump took office for a second time, Denmark’s embassy started shopping for a lobbyist with ties to the new president, who has proclaimed his intention to try to take over the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland. The Danes are not alone. A number of countries that would be affected by Trump’s threatened acquisitions, tariffs, aid reductions, or deportations have been urgently seeking help on K Street to navigate his administration.
Powerless, Democrats Debate Just How Deep in the Wilderness They Are
DNyuz – Shane Goldmacher (New York Times) | Published: 1/29/2025
Democratic lawmakers, activists, and strategists across the ideological spectrum are engaged in a fierce debate over how badly damaged the 2024 election left the party’s brand, a consequential internal argument that is already shaping early efforts to rebuild. While there is none of the denialism that gripped Republicans after Donald Trump lost in 2020, Democratic leaders are in sharp disagreement over how to interpret losses that not only returned Trump to power but also put Republicans in total control of the federal government.
DOJ Fires Officials Who Worked on Jack Smith’s Trump Investigations
MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/27/2025
The Justice Department fired more than a dozen officials who worked on the special counsel team that investigated Donald Trump in two separate criminal cases, citing a lack of trust in them. The terminations are the latest example of the Trump administration reshaping the Justice Department, transferring or firing veteran career officials who the president’s allies believe would impede or interfere with their agenda.
House GOP Holds Retreat at a Trump Property, a Windfall to President’s Resort
MSN – Cleve Wootson, Jr., Paul Kane, and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 1/28/2025
Congressional Republicans are hashing out President Trump’s legislative agenda at the Miami-area golf resort that bears his name, offering a windfall for the once-underperforming property owned by a president who spent his first term battling criticism that he used his political position to enrich himself. Regardless of how the budget talks go, the biggest immediate beneficiary of the discussion will probably be Trump National Doral Golf Club.
Pete Hegseth Confirmed as Defense Secretary After Vance Breaks Tie
MSN – Abigail Hauslohner, Liz Goodwin, and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 1/24/2025
The Senate confirmed President Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, to become the country’s next defense secretary. The appointment of Hegseth, a Trump loyalist who has called for a “frontal assault” to rid the Pentagon of what he has said is a leftist ideology, marks a dramatic political shift in the United States’ national security policy and leadership. Hegseth secured his post in a vote of 51-50. It marks the second time in U.S. history that a vice president’s vote was necessary to confirm a Cabinet official.
Trump Defends Ousting at Least 15 Independent Inspectors General in Late-Night Purge
MSN – David Nakamura, Lisa Rein, and Matt Viser (Washington Post) | Published: 1/25/2025
The White House removed the independent inspectors general of nearly every Cabinet-level agency in an unprecedented purge that could clear the way for Donald Trump to install loyalists in the crucial role of identifying fraud, waste, and abuse in the government. The dismissals appeared to violate federal law, which requires Congress to receive 30 days’ notice of any intent to fire a Senate-confirmed inspector general.
Johnson Aide Discouraged Hutchinson Subpoena Over Concerns About Lawmakers’ ‘Sexual Texts’
MSN – Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 1/23/2025
An aide to House Speaker Mike Johnson advised Republican colleagues against subpoenaing former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson as part of their investigation into the Capitol riot in to prevent the release of sexually explicit texts lawmakers sent her. Johnson revived the investigation as part of an effort by Donald Trump and his allies to seek retribution against perceived political enemies, including those who investigated his role in the January 6 attack.
Elon Musk’s Business Conflicts Draw Scrutiny Amid White House Role
MSN – Faiz Siddiqui (Washington Post) | Published: 1/24/2025
Elon Musk criticized a private-sector partnership touted by the Trump administration to hasten the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure. What was left unsaid was that Musk’s artificial intelligence business, xAI, is directly challenging OpenAI for the lead in the race to transform society with the technology. The debate reflects the inherent conflict in the highly unusual arrangement of having the world’s foremost business leader, and its richest person, actively working in the White House without having stepped aside from his business roles.
Former Senator Bob Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison in Corruption Case
MSN – Salvador Rizzo and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 1/29/2025
Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison following his conviction on bribery and corruption charges. A jury found Menendez took bribes from three New Jersey businesspeople who sought his help quashing criminal investigations and securing lucrative deals with officials from Egypt and Qatar. The bribes totaled nearly $1 million, and included cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz. Menendez is the first public official in the United States to be convicted of acting as a foreign agent.
Trump’s Perceived Enemies Brace for Retribution with Plans, Dark Humor
MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Sarah Ellison, Patrick Marley, and Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 1/28/2025
Around the nation, those who have crossed Donald Trump are readying themselves, their families, and their colleagues for the retribution that the president and his allies have pledged will come. Those who fear they could be targeted include election officials, prosecutors, current and former elected officials, democracy advocates, people who worked in Trump’s first administration, and those who appeared on a list of perceived enemies. They are bracing for criminal investigations, tax audits, congressional or state legislative scrutiny, arrests, online harassment, and physical threats.
Meta Will Pay $25 Million to Settle Trump Lawsuit Alleging Censorship
MSN – Naomi Nix and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 1/29/2025
Meta agreed to pay $25 million to resolve a lawsuit brought by Donald Trump alleging the company’s suspension of his social media accounts after the attack on the U.S. Capitol amounted to an act of censorship. The settlement is a major concession by Meta, which for years has maintained its right to determine which posts and accounts should be allowed to remain on its social networks.
Trump White House Rescinds Order Freezing Federal Spending, Reversing Course
MSN – Jeff Stein and Tony Romm (Washington Post) | Published: 1/29/2025
The White House budget office rescinded an order freezing federal grants after the administration’s move to halt spending provoked a backlash. The order freezing grants caused mass chaos and confusion across Washington, appearing to imperil government programs that fund schools, provide housing, and ensure that low-income Americans have access to health care.
Yahoo News – Alaa Elassar (CNN) | Published: 1/27/2025
At least 15 Indigenous people in Arizona and New Mexico have reported being stopped at their homes and workplaces, questioned or detained by federal law enforcement, and asked to produce proof of citizenship during immigration raids, according to Navajo Nation officials. The reports, which have caused panic amongst tribal communities in both states, come amid the Trump administration’s attempt to ramp up undocumented immigrant arrests nationwide and amass a larger force to carry out the president’s deportation pledge.
DOJ Moves to Drop Prosecution of Former Trump Co-Defendants in Classified Documents Case
Yahoo News – Josh Gerstein and Kyke Cheney (Politico) | Published: 1/29/2025
The Justice Department moved to drop its effort to prosecute Donald Trump’s former co-defendants in special counsel Jack Smith’s classified documents case. Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira were accused of helping Trump obstruct the investigation into classified documents stored at Mar-a-Lago after Trump’s first term. Smith charged them with obstructing justice and making false statements. If the appeals court grants the government’s request, it will end the last remnant of the federal criminal prosecutions against Trump.
From the States and Municipalities
California – ‘Pay-to-Play’ Claim Shakes Sonoma County’s $114 Million Real Estate Plans
Santa Rosa Press Democrat – Emma Murphy | Published: 1/29/2025
Sonoma County largest public employee labor union has come out swinging against a set of proposed county office acquisitions totaling $114 million and its attack, including allegations of pay-to-play politics involving at least one elected county supervisor, have derailed at least temporarily the deals’ advance. The Service Employees International Union Local 1021 alleges. Supervisor David Rabbitt improperly participated in closed-session discussions about the properties in question after receiving a campaign contribution from the agent of one of the brokerage firms involved in the deals.
California – Sacramento Has Contracts of Over $1 Million with Leader Accused of Bribery in Mayor’s Race
Yahoo News – Joe Rubin (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 1/29/2025
In December, runner-up mayoral candidate Flojaune Cofer introduced intrigue at a Sacramento City Council meeting, commenting publicly to oppose extending City Manager Howard Chan’s contract a year. “In late September, I was told that I would be given a campaign contribution in exchange for agreeing to extend the city manager’s contract by one year,” Carter said. The alleged bribe involved Jay King, the president of the California Black Chamber of Commerce, and developer Paul Petrovich.
Colorado Politics – Marianne Goodland | Published: 1/29/2025
Democratic lawmakers in Colorado are on their fourth attempt to expand the jurisdiction of the state’s independent ethics commission. House Bill 1079 would add school board members and their direct hires for 178 school districts, such as superintendents and boards of the state’s more than 3,000 special districts and their direct hires, to the jurisdiction of the ethics commission.
District of Columbia – Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Launches Probe of Jan. 6 Prosecutions
MSN – Spencer Hsu, Keith Alexander, and Tom Jackman (Washington Post) | Published: 1/27/2025
Edward Martin Jr., interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., asked two top prosecutors in his office to undertake an internal review of its handling of Capitol riot prosecutions, a move that follows a White House executive order to the Justice Department and intelligence agencies to hunt for political bias in their ranks. Martin’s move to carry out the review is likely to stoke criticism from Democrats that he is helping the Trump administration sow discord in the office, divert prosecutorial resources. and punish prosecutors making reasonable legal judgments.
District of Columbia – D.C. Council Member Trayon White Denies Wrongdoing Ahead of Expulsion Vote
MSN – Jenny Gathright and Meagan Flynn (Washington Post) | Published: 1/28/2025
An attorney for District of Columbia Councilperson Trayon White Sr. offered the lawmaker’s first extended public response to the council’s looming expulsion of him, arguing during a council proceeding that the legislative body’s disciplinary process violated his client’s rights. The council, however, appears poised to expel White through a final vote. White is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for promising to influence contracts at city government agencies.
Georgia – Georgia Asks Federal Appeals Court to Tighten Voting Rights Act
MSN – Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 1/23/2025
Georgia is seeking another U.S. Supreme Court showdown over the Voting Rights Act, asking a federal appeals court to interpret the law in a way that could make it much harder to prove minority votes have been illegally diluted. A lawyer for the state asked a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court that required lawmakers to draw more Black-majority electoral districts.
Chicago Sun Times – Robert Herguth and Mitchell Armentrout | Published: 1/24/2025
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign returned most of a $50,000 contribution it accepted from a PAC led by a City Hall lobbyist whose law firm has a city contract to collect outstanding utility bills. City ethics rules bar campaign donations to a mayor by city lobbyists and city contractors. The Friends of Brandon Johnson campaign fund appears to have repeatedly violated those restrictions since Johnson took office in May 2023, prompting tens of thousands of dollars in refunds.
MSN – Alice Yin (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 1/29/2025
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office improperly blocked public access to a City Hall room where they said they store Gucci bags, designer cufflinks, and other gifts. City Inspector General Deborah Witzburg found Johnson’s office violated the ethics policy that requires mayors to record gifts above $50 and “accepted on behalf of the City” in a publicly available log maintained on the fifth floor of City Hall. Covert investigators visited the mayor’s office last June but were denied access to the log.
Louisiana – Louisiana Environmental Activist Loses Freedom of Speech Lawsuit Against Parish Officials
MSN – Jack Brook (Associated Press) | Published: 1/29/2025
Louisiana parish officials who threatened to arrest and imprison an environmental activist as she attempted to speak during a public meeting did not violate her right to freedom of speech, a civil jury ruled. Joy Banner had sought more than $2 million in damages from two St. John the Baptist parish officials, President Jaclyn Hotard and Councilperson Michael Wright, who she said blocked her from raising allegations of corruption tied to industrial development at a public meeting.
Massachusetts – Massachusetts Water Employee Faces $6,000 Fine After Accepting Free Ski Trips
MSN – Rick Sobey (Boston Herald) | Published: 1/29/2025
Another local water employee in Massachusetts is facing a $6,000 fine from the state after accepting free ski trips from a water meter manufacturer and distributor. The State Ethics Commission ruled Auburn Water District Foreman Scott Callahan violated the conflict-of-interest law by accepting two free ski trips from the manufacturer and its distributor.
Mississippi – US Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Mississippi Lifetime Ban on Voting by Felons
Yahoo News – Andrew Chung (Reuters) | Published: 1/27/2025
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to Mississippi’s lifetime ban on voting by people convicted of a wide range of felonies, a policy adopted in 1890 during the Jim Crow era that stands as one of the toughest such restrictions in the nation. The justices turned away an appeal of a lower court’s decision rejecting a lawsuit that claimed the ban violates the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment promise of equal protection and Eighth Amendment bar on cruel and unusual punishments.
Montana – Montana Senate Convening Ethics Committee to Investigate its Former President
Montana Free Press – Tom Lutey | Published: 1/27/2025
The Montana Senate will conduct an ethics investigation into a $170,100 government contract brokered by former Senate President Jason Ellsworth with his business associate. Department of Administration (DOA) Director Misty Ann Giles acknowledged the Ellsworth contract violated state law, but the DOA saw the deal through, nonetheless. The investigation concluded Ellsworth’s actions with state funds were both wasteful and abusive.
Nebraska – Scott Danigole Is Next Head of Nebraska Campaign Finance Agency NADC
Yahoo News – Paul Hammel (Nebraska Examiner) | Published: 1/27/2025
Scott Danigole was selected as the next executive director of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. Danigole, who has served as a fiscal analyst for the state Legislature for the past 27 years, said he sought the position to continue to serve the state and due to a commitment to ensure “doing the right thing.”
New Jersey – Bill Spadea Has Improperly Benefited from Radio Show, Rival Claims in Governor’s Race Row
Yahoo News – Nikita Biryukov (New Jersey Monitor) | Published: 1/28/2025
Attorneys for gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli called on New Jersey’s campaign finance watchdog to withhold matching funds from rival Bill Spadea, arguing Spadea’s campaign has improperly reaped benefits from his morning radio show. The complaint revives protests made months ago that claimed Spadea’s daily presence on New Jersey 101.5 amounted to in-kind contributions from the station’s owner worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in violation of contribution limits and other rules on New Jersey’s gubernatorial public financing program.
New Mexico – Lawmakers, Ethics Commission Want More Lobbying Information Disclosed to Public
New Mexico In Depth – Marjorie Childress | Published: 1/24/2025
In New Mexico, some lobbyists report political contributions, but there is no record of what company may have provided that money. Some lobbyists report thousands of dollars spent on meals with lawmakers, but no information about which lawmakers enjoyed those meals, or which of their clients paid for the food. Even for those in office, or for journalists, knowing who the lobbyists are, who is paying for the campaign donations they make, or the meals they buy, or what legislation they are trying to pass or kill, can be challenging.
New York – Justice Dept. Is Said to Discuss Dropping Case Against Eric Adams
DNyuz – Maggie Haberman, William Rashbaum, Devlin Barrett, and Jonah Bromwich (New York Times) | Published: 1/29/2025
Senior Justice Department officials under President Trump have held discussions with federal prosecutors in Manhattan about the possibility of dropping their corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams. Trump has the power to pardon Adams, who as New York City’s mayor could aid his plans for mass deportations. If prosecutors were to dismiss the case entirely, it could allow Adams to insist on his innocence to voters as he seeks another term as mayor, while allowing Trump to avoid the appearance of a pardon that many might view as unwarranted.
New York – NYC Council Votes to Expand Lobbying Ban on Ex-City Hall Officials Amid ‘Revolving Door’ Concerns
MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) | Published: 1/23/2025
Senior New York City Hall officials, like deputy mayors and chiefs of staff, are barred from lobbying the mayor’s office for a year after leaving public service. They can lobby other city agencies besides the mayor’s office immediately upon departing under existing regulations. A new bill passed by the city council would beef up the law so ex-senior City Hall officials could not lobby any city agencies for two years after departing. It would also subject multiple positions to the ban that are not covered now.
New York – Prominent New York Lobbying Firm Racks Up Fines
New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 1/23/2025
Over four years, a prominent New York lobbying firm, Patrick B. Jenkins and Associates, missed disclosure deadlines more than 230 times and paid more than $123,000 in late fees. Every two months, lobbying firms must file reports that provide insight into each public official and the issues they are seeking to influence on behalf of each of their clients. If filings are submitted late, the public cannot access this information in a timely manner.
North Dakota – Voter Registration, Campaign Finance Reporting Debated by North Dakota Lawmakers
Yahoo News – Mary Steuer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 1/27/2025
The latest bill to require voter registration in North Dakota met strong opposition. North Dakota is the only state in the country without voter registration. Instead, voters must provide valid identification at the polls or when they request a mail-in ballot. Lawmakers also debated House Bill 1286, which is meant to address the use of dark money. The bill proposes a complex system for reporting contributions to political committees, campaigns, and ballot measures, and for investigating possible violations.
Ohio – Panel Suspends East Cleveland Mayor from Office
MSN – Cliff Pinckard (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/29/2025
A panel of three retired judges decided to suspend from office East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King, who currently is facing public corruption charges. King is accused of using more than $75,000 in city money to pay companies he or his relatives owned and giving a city-owned car and gas card to a former council member.
Oregon – Oregon Government Ethics Commission Will Probe Kotek’s Spending on Parking, Dinner
Yahoo News – Julia Shumway (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 1/24/2025
Members of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted to investigate Gov. Tina Kotek’s reported spending on parking, concert tickets, and an employee recognition buffet. Auditors flagged the spending which they described as “minor” and “unintentional” apparent violations of state ethics law, earlier in January. The ethics commission discussed the findings and concluded it did not have enough information to decide how to move forward. But commission Chairperson David Fiskum said they needed “not to do nothing.”
Oregon – Ethics Commission Faults Oregon Rep. Greg Smith for Not Naming Clients
Yahoo News – Julia Shumway (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 1/24/2025
Oregon’s government ethics watchdog dinged a state representative for failing to follow a law he voted for that requires government officials to disclose some sources of business income. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted unanimously to move ahead with an investigation into Rep. Greg Smith. Last year was the first that officials had to disclose some sources of income for businesses they own.
Texas – Texas Lawmakers Race Against Fundraising Blackout to Fill Campaign Coffers
MSN – Karen Brooks Harper and Nolan McCaskill (Dallas Morning News) | Published: 1/23/2025
December 14 was the last day to raise campaign money for the legislative session that began Texas recently, and the state’s 181 lawmakers raised a combined $13 million in two weeks, a number that jumps closer to $17 million when fundraising by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, is added. The fundraising in the two weeks preceding the session moratorium awes even the most veteran of political insiders, particularly as the skyrocketing cost of running a campaign requires officials to raise ever more money.
Utah – Here’s the Loophole Allowing Utah Lawmakers to Become Lobbyists Without ‘Cooling Off’
Salt Lake Tribune – Robert Gehrke | Published: 1/23/2025
Days after wrapping up a 24-year career in the Utah Senate, Curt Bramble filed to lobby the state Legislature, despite a law intended to prevent legislators from becoming “revolving-door” lobbyists. Bramble said there is a provision in the law that allows him to represent clients through his accounting and business consulting firm. “If lobbying or government relations isn’t your primary business then there’s an exception,” Bramble said.
West Virginia – Head of West Virginia Gun Lobby Appointed to Replace Lawmaker-Elect Arrested for Making Threats
MSN – Leah Willingham (Associated Press) | Published: 1/23/2025
The president of West Virginia’s largest gun-lobbying group was appointed to fill the seat of a lawmaker-elect who was ousted while confined to his house on charges related to terroristic threats against his colleagues. Ian Masters, president of the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, was appointed to take over the vacated seat of Joseph de Soto.
January 30, 2025 •
U.S. Federal Lobbyist Bundling Disclosure Threshold Increased for 2025

Today, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and the federal lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold. The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased for 2025 from $22,700 to $23,300. This threshold amount is adjusted annually. […]
Today, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and the federal lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold.
The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased for 2025 from $22,700 to $23,300. This threshold amount is adjusted annually. Federal law requires authorized committees of federal candidates, leadership political action committees (PACs), and political party committees to disclose contributions bundled by lobbyists and lobbyists’ PACs.
Additionally, the FEC published its adjusted Coordinated Party Expenditure Limits for political parties for 2025.
January 30, 2025 •
U.S. Federal Political Contribution Limits Increase for 2025-2026 Election Cycle

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) published the 2025-2026 election cycle contribution limits, which have been indexed for inflation. As required by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the FEC must adjust certain contribution limits every two years. The Federal […]
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) published the 2025-2026 election cycle contribution limits, which have been indexed for inflation. As required by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the FEC must adjust certain contribution limits every two years.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) published the 2025-2026 election cycle contribution limits, which have been indexed for inflation. As required by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the FEC must adjust certain contribution limits every two years.
The individual and nonmulticandidate PAC contribution limit to federal candidates has increased from $3,300 to $3,500 for both primary and general elections, allowing for a total of $7,000 for a federal candidate.
The limits on contributions by individuals to national party committees have increased from $41,300 to $44,300 per calendar year.
Individuals may now contribute $132,900 per calendar year to committees of a national political party for presidential nominating conventions, to committees of a national political party for preparation for and the conduct of election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings, and to committees of a national political party for the construction, purchase, renovation, operation, and furnishing of one or more buildings for party headquarters.
Individuals may now contribute $132,900 per calendar year to committees of a national political party for presidential nominating conventions, to committees of a national political party for preparation for and the conduct of election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings, and to committees of a national political party for the construction, purchase, renovation, operation, and furnishing of one or more buildings for party headquarters.
January 30, 2025 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance California: “‘Pay-to-Play’ Claim Shakes Sonoma County’s $114 Million Real Estate Plans” by Emma Murphy for Santa Rosa Press Democrat New Jersey: “Bill Spadea Has Improperly Benefited from Radio Show, Rival Claims in Governor’s Race Row” by Nikita Biryukov (New Jersey Monitor) for […]
Campaign Finance
California: “‘Pay-to-Play’ Claim Shakes Sonoma County’s $114 Million Real Estate Plans” by Emma Murphy for Santa Rosa Press Democrat
New Jersey: “Bill Spadea Has Improperly Benefited from Radio Show, Rival Claims in Governor’s Race Row” by Nikita Biryukov (New Jersey Monitor) for Yahoo News
Ethics
Washington DC: “D.C. Council Member Trayon White Denies Wrongdoing Ahead of Expulsion Vote” by Jenny Gathright and Meagan Flynn (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “DOJ Fires Officials Who Worked on Jack Smith’s Trump Investigations” by Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “DOJ Moves to Drop Prosecution of Former Trump Co-Defendants in Classified Documents Case” by Josh Gerstein and Kyke Cheney (Politico) for Yahoo News
National: “Former Senator Bob Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison in Corruption Case” by Salvador Rizzo and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) for MSN
Illinois: “OIG Report Finds Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Office Improperly Blocked Access to Gift Room with Gucci Bags, Other Designer Items” by Alice Yin (Chicago Tribune) for MSN
Ohio: “Panel Suspends East Cleveland Mayor from Office” by Cliff Pinckard (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN
January 29, 2025 •
Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections National: “Powerless, Democrats Debate Just How Deep in the Wilderness They Are” by Shane Goldmacher (New York Times) for DNyuz Ethics Washington DC: “Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Launches Probe of Jan. 6 Prosecutions” by Spencer Hsu, Keith Alexander, and Tom Jackman […]
Elections
National: “Powerless, Democrats Debate Just How Deep in the Wilderness They Are” by Shane Goldmacher (New York Times) for DNyuz
Ethics
Washington DC: “Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Launches Probe of Jan. 6 Prosecutions” by Spencer Hsu, Keith Alexander, and Tom Jackman (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “House GOP Holds Retreat at a Trump Property, a Windfall to President’s Resort” by Cleve Wootson, Jr., Paul Kane, and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “White House Pauses All Federal Grants, Sparking Confusion” by Jeff Stein, Jacob Bogage, and Emily Davies (Washington Post) for MSN
Montana: “Montana Senate Convening Ethics Committee to Investigate its Former President” by Tom Lutey for Montana Free Press
National: “Navajo Nation Leaders Raise Alarm Over Reports of Indigenous People Being Questioned and Detained During Immigration Sweeps” by Alaa Elassar (CNN) for Yahoo News
Nebraska: “Scott Danigole Is Next Head of Nebraska Campaign Finance Agency NADC” by Paul Hammel (Nebraska Examiner) for Yahoo News
Oregon: “Oregon Government Ethics Commission Will Probe Kotek’s Spending on Parking, Dinner” by Julia Shumway (Oregon Capital Chronicle) for Yahoo News
January 28, 2025 •
Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections Mississippi: “US Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Mississippi Lifetime Ban on Voting by Felons” by Andrew Chung (Reuters) for Yahoo News North Dakota: “Voter Registration, Campaign Finance Reporting Debated by North Dakota Lawmakers” by Mary Steuer (North Dakota Monitor) for Yahoo News Ethics […]
Elections
Mississippi: “US Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Mississippi Lifetime Ban on Voting by Felons” by Andrew Chung (Reuters) for Yahoo News
North Dakota: “Voter Registration, Campaign Finance Reporting Debated by North Dakota Lawmakers” by Mary Steuer (North Dakota Monitor) for Yahoo News
Ethics
National: “Trump Defends Ousting at Least 15 Independent Inspectors General in Late-Night Purge” by David Nakamura, Lisa Rein, and Matt Viser (Washington Post) for MSN
Oregon: “Ethics Commission Faults Oregon Rep. Greg Smith for Not Naming Clients” by Julia Shumway (Oregon Capital Chronicle) for Yahoo News
Legislative Issues
National: “Pete Hegseth Confirmed as Defense Secretary After Vance Breaks Tie” by Abigail Hauslohner, Liz Goodwin, and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) for MSN
Lobbying
National: “Denmark and Other Nations Under Pressure Seek Lobbyists with Trump Ties” by Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) for DNyuz
New York: “Prominent New York Lobbying Firm Racks Up Fines” by Chris Bragg for New York Focus
Redistricting
National: “How Redistricting Helped Republicans Win the House” by Nick Corasaniti and Michael Wines (New York Times) for DNyuz
January 27, 2025 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Texas: “Texas Lawmakers Race Against Fundraising Blackout to Fill Campaign Coffers” by Karen Brooks Harper and Nolan McCaskill (Dallas Morning News) for MSN Ethics National: “Johnson Aide Discouraged Hutchinson Subpoena Over Concerns About Lawmakers’ ‘Sexual Texts’” by Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) for […]
Campaign Finance
Texas: “Texas Lawmakers Race Against Fundraising Blackout to Fill Campaign Coffers” by Karen Brooks Harper and Nolan McCaskill (Dallas Morning News) for MSN
Ethics
National: “Johnson Aide Discouraged Hutchinson Subpoena Over Concerns About Lawmakers’ ‘Sexual Texts'” by Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Elon Musk’s Business Conflicts Draw Scrutiny Amid White House Role” by Faiz Siddiqui (Washington Post) for MSN
Legislative Issues
West Virginia: “Head of West Virginia Gun Lobby Appointed to Replace Lawmaker-Elect Arrested for Making Threats” by Leah Willingham (Associated Press) for MSN
Lobbying
New Mexico: “Lawmakers, Ethics Commission Want More Lobbying Information Disclosed to Public” by Marjorie Childress for New Mexico In Depth
New York: “NYC Council Votes to Expand Lobbying Ban on Ex-City Hall Officials Amid ‘Revolving Door’ Concerns” by Chris Sommerfeldt and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) for MSN
Utah: “Here’s the Loophole Allowing Utah Lawmakers to Become Lobbyists Without ‘Cooling Off'” by Robert Gehrke for Salt Lake Tribune
Redistricting
Georgia: “Georgia Asks Federal Appeals Court to Tighten Voting Rights Act” by Jeff Amy (Associated Press) for MSN
January 24, 2025 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 24, 2025

National/Federal Trump’s D.E.I. Order Creates ‘Fear and Confusion’ Among Corporate Leaders DNyuz – Emma Goldberg (New York Times) | Published: 1/23/2025 In his first days in office, with series of sweeping moves, President Trump took aim at diversity efforts. Trump ordered federal […]
National/Federal
Trump’s D.E.I. Order Creates ‘Fear and Confusion’ Among Corporate Leaders
DNyuz – Emma Goldberg (New York Times) | Published: 1/23/2025
In his first days in office, with series of sweeping moves, President Trump took aim at diversity efforts. Trump ordered federal officials overseeing government diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to be put on leave. His order did not stop with government employment. He revoked an executive order signed in 1965 that prohibited discriminatory hiring and employment practices for private government contractors. Perhaps most alarming for business leaders was the order’s focus on private corporations, whether they do business with the government or not.
Justice Department Says It Will Prosecute Local Officials Over Immigration Enforcement
MSN – Maria Sacchetti and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 1/22/2025
The Trump administration directed federal prosecutors nationwide to investigate and potentially prosecute state and local officials who do not cooperate with the president’s plans to carry out the largest mass deportation campaign in U.S. history. The directive is likely to face fierce blowback from legal advocacy groups and officials in cities and states led by Democrats. Many lawyers say it is legal for state and local officials to stay out of most immigration enforcement.
Who Is Mariann Budde, the Bishop Who Told Trump to ‘Have Mercy’?
MSN – Olivia George and Gaya Gupta (Washington Post) | Published: 1/22/2025
While speaking at an interfaith inauguration prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, a bishop pleaded with President Trump to show compassion toward immigrants, LGBTQ+ children, and “the people in our country who are scared now.” The Right Rev. Mariann Budde also criticized Trump during his first term, particularly over his handling of protests during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. She has served as the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington since 2011 and was the first woman to be elected to the position.
Justice Department Issues Freeze for Civil Rights Division
MSN – Perry Stein and David Nakamura (Washington Post) | Published: 1/22/2025
The U.S. Justice Department ordered the civil rights division to halt much of its investigative activity dating from the Biden administration and not pursue new indictments, cases, or settlements. Cases that have already been filed would be subject to the discretion of the judge overseeing them. Within the Justice Department, the civil rights division typically experiences the sharpest shift in priorities between Republican and Democratic administrations. But the division typically decides on a case-by-case basis what litigation to pursue from the previous administration.
CNN Found Guilty of Defaming Security Contractor, Ordered to Pay $5 Million
MSN – Jeremy Barr (Washington Post) | Published: 1/17/2025
A jury found CNN guilty of defaming security contractor Zachary Young, who argued his reputation and business were destroyed after he was featured in a segment on the network about the high costs of evacuating Afghans from the country after the Taliban took power. Young was awarded $5 million. The high-dollar verdict could also incentivize more lawsuits against media companies, particularly in a climate of hostility toward the press.
Washington Lobbyists Turn to Musk’s DOGE to Influence Trump
MSN – Gregory Korte and Ted Mann (Bloomberg) | Published: 1/19/2025
The Department of Government Efficiency, run by Elon Musk, is supposed to advise Donald Trump on spending cuts and regulatory reform. It does not yet, and may never, have any formalized responsibilities or authority. So far, its recruits have been organizing in clandestine meetings blocks from the White House. But already, companies and industry groups have started looking to the department, above the more traditional committees of Congress and federal agencies, to advance their agendas and protect their interests.
Biden Preemptively Pardons Milley, Fauci, Jan. 6 Panel – and His Family
MSN – Sabrina Rodriguez and Matt Viser (Washington Post) | Published: 1/20/2025
President Biden issued preemptive pardons to retired Gen. Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci, members and staff of the January 6 congressional committee, and police officers who testified before the panel, just hours before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Biden’s decision comes after Trump has repeatedly threatened to go after those who have crossed him politically or attempted to hold him accountable for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Trump Signs Order to End ‘Government Censorship’ of Social Media
MSN – Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 1/20/2025
President Trump signed an executive order intended to “immediately stop all government censorship,” a sweeping action that could chill years of efforts to combat the proliferation of false information online. Conservatives have argued in multiple lawsuits that efforts to limit the spread of false information online about public health and elections amount to illegal censorship. The order will create legal uncertainty for government officials who communicate with tech companies.
DOJ Can’t Show Jack Smith’s Report on Trump Classified Docs Case to Lawmakers, Cannon Rules
MSN – Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 1/21/2025
U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon blocked the Justice Department from showing selected lawmakers portions of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on the classified documents case against Donald Trump. Cannon said there is no legal basis for the department to confidentially share the report with leaders of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The ruling could make it easier for the Trump administration to bury the report, which recounts Smith’s investigation into the classified records that Trump stored at his Mar-a-Lago home and his alleged attempt to obstruct efforts to retrieve them.
Clemency for Oath Keepers, Proud Boys Fuels Extremism Threat, Experts Say
MSN – Spencer Hsu, Ellie Silverman, and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 1/21/2025
Counterterrorism experts say Donald Trump’s decision to free all the roughly 1,600 January 6 riot defendants, including the leaders of two extremist groups who played outsize roles in the Capitol riot, could further embolden fringe groups and hamper the Justice Department’s fight against political violence. Extremism researchers raised concerns over the message their freedom sends to armed militia-style groups or others with violent anti-government views. If those convicted of plotting such violence against the government walked free with support from the nation’s commander in chief, would others be energized to take up more action?
Trump Promotes Meme Coin, Raising Ethics Issues as Value Soars
MSN – Tony Romm (Washington Post) | Published: 1/19/2025
Ahead of his inauguration, Donald Trump launched and promoted a new cryptocurrency venture, raising fresh ethical questions about his attempts to monetize the incoming administration’s deepening political ties to the industry. Trump’s new project is known as a meme coin, a highly volatile sort of token that crypto enthusiasts can buy and sell tied to an online trend or personality.
Patagonia’s Ties to Nonprofit Raise Campaign Finance Concerns
Yahoo News – Tony Biasotti (Ventura County Star) | Published: 1/21/2025
A new nonprofit filed its incorporation paperwork with an address in Ventura and the name Save Our Home Planet Action. Its stated purposes included “raising awareness of the current environmental crisis,” land preservation and restoration, and lobbying and advocacy. It had no website, no known donors, and no apparent source of revenue. But it did have money. Ten days after its founding, it gave nearly $900,000 to two PACs.
Trump Revokes Lobbying Ban for Biden Appointees
Yahoo News – Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 1/22/2025
President Trump revoked an executive order signed by Joe Biden that set ethics and lobbying rules for appointees. Biden’s order banned outgoing appointees from registering to lobby until the end of his administration or for two years, whichever is later. It extended an existing ban on officials communicating with their former agency to include communications with senior White House staff. Trump’s order could make it easier for Biden alumni to land well-paying jobs in the private sector, where former officials can immediately cash in on their intimate knowledge of how the levers of power work to influence policy.
From the States and Municipalities
California – Santa Clara County Weighs Raising Campaign Donation Limits
MSN – Brandon Pho (San Jose Spotlight) | Published: 1/16/2025
Santa Clara County supervisors could relax restrictions on how much they can raise for their reelection campaigns. The issue sparked a debate at a Board of Supervisors meeting about whether a higher ceiling for candidate fundraising would help or hurt poorer people’s chances of winning elected county office.
California – Sheng Thao and Partner Andre Jones Sought More than $300,000 in Bribes, Feds Allege
MSN – Natalie Orenstein and Darwin BondGraham (Oaklandside) | Published: 1/17/2025
Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao was indicted on bribery charges, along with her longtime boyfriend and a father-son team who run the company on contract for the city’s recycling services, alleging a corruption scheme involving cash payments and campaign mailers in exchange for city contracts. The indictment alleges Thao and Andre Jones accepted bribes from David and Andy Duong in exchange for promising to extend their recycling services contract and purchase housing units from a company the Duongs ran if Thao was elected in 2022.
Colorado – Colorado Senate Committee to Review Ethics Complaint Against Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis
Colorado Politics – Marianne Goodland | Published: 1/21/2025
The Colorado Senate formed an ethics committee to investigate claims that Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis mistreated staff members, a move that could ultimately lead to a reprimand or removal from office. A workplace misconduct complaint alleged she paid an aide to do landscaping work and tend bar and paid him with a campaign check. She did not report those expenditures in her campaign finance reports.
Florida – Ethics Commission Dismisses Baxter Complaint but Says She ‘Probably Violated’ County Code
MSN – Mike Diamond (Palm Beach Post) | Published: 1/22/2025
The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics dismissed a complaint against county Commissioner Sara Baxter over gifts she received from lobbyist Ron Book. The commission upheld a staff finding there was “probable cause” to conclude Baxter violated the law for failing to report the gifts. But it rejected a staff recommendation to issue “a letter of instruction” to her, which would have warned her not to do it again. It may be one of the last anonymous complaints to be investigated by an ethics commission in Florida.
Florida – Judge Dismisses Díaz de la Portilla ‘Shakedown’ Lawsuit, Citing Legislative Immunity
MSN – Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 1/17/2025
A judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing former Miami City Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla of orchestrating a “shakedown” scheme by pressuring the longtime operator of the Rickenbacker Marina to take on the commissioner’s associate as a business partner in exchange for the commissioner’s vote on a redevelopment deal. The ruling marks the second legal victory for Díaz de la Portilla. The Broward State Attorney’s Office dismissed a criminal corruption case against him.
Florida – DeSantis Picks Florida Attorney General to Replace Marco Rubio in Senate
MSN – Hannah Knowles and Lori Rozsa (Washington Post) | Published: 1/16/2025
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would appoint Ashley Moody, his state’s attorney general, to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate, elevating a close ally. Moody previously worked as a federal prosecutor in Florida and became the youngest judge in the state when she won election to the Circuit Court in Hillsborough County. DeSantis also announced he will select his chief of staff, James Uthmeier, to take Moody’s place as attorney general.
Georgia – Giuliani and Georgia Election Workers Reach Settlement in Defamation Case
MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 1/16/2025
Rudy Giuliani and two Georgia election workers reached a settlement in a case to determine whether he would be forced to give up World Series rings, his Florida condominium, and other assets as part of a $148 million defamation judgment. A trial on the matter was scheduled to begin January 16 involving Giuliani and election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, a mother and daughter. Freeman and Moss were included in a false election fraud narrative presented by Giuliani after the 2020 presidential race Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden.
Illinois – Man Banned from Chicago Park District Jobs After Scandal Now Working for Alderman
MSN – Jake Sheridan (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 1/20/2025
A November 2021 investigation cited Alonzo Williams, then the Chicago Park District’s chief programs officer, and other executives for mishandling allegations of abuse and sexual harassment in the lifeguard program. Williams resigned when the report came out and was designated “do not rehire” by the agency. But Williams quickly found contracting work in the city council. Despite the still-in-place label from the sister city agency, Ald. Greg Mitchell has hired Williams, payroll records show.
Illinois – Regardless of Verdict, Could Madigan Trial Be Make-or-Break Moment for Illinois?
MSN – Ray Long, Megan Crepeau, and Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 1/19/2025
The outcome of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial will be watched closely well beyond Chicago’s federal courthouse, with the verdict representing a potential make-or-break moment at the Illinois Capitol. Gov. JB Pritzker and state lawmakers must now brace themselves for the culmination of a trial that has put a spotlight on Illinois’ messy intersection of money, special interests, and power politics.
Indiana – 3 More Women Accuse Indiana Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor of Sexual Misconduct
MSN – Hayleigh Colombo, Tony Cook, and Kayla Dwyer (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 1/19/2025
Three more women are accusing Indiana Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor of sexual misconduct, the latest in a string of allegations against the chamber’s most powerful Democrat. The new accusations date back to Taylor’s early years in the Legislature, but together with more recent allegations show a nearly decade-long pattern of unwelcomed sexual conduct toward younger interns, lobbyists, and staff.
Kentucky – Biden Pardons Kentuckian Jerry Lundergan for Campaign Finance Conviction
Yahoo News – Jack Brammer (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 1/20/2025
President Biden pardoned businessperson Jerry Lundergan for his conviction on federal campaign finance charges. Lundergan was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for making illegal contributions to the failed U.S. Senate campaign of his daughter, former Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, and for causing the concealment of those contributions from the FEC.
Kentucky – He Ran Kentucky’s Nursing Home Inspections. Now He’s a Nursing Home Lobbyist. Is That OK?
Yahoo News – John Cheves (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 1/16/2025
The state official in charge of nursing home inspections might have violated Kentucky’s ethics law by moving too quickly a year ago into a job as a nursing home industry lobbyist, promoting the interests of his new employer throughout 2024 in meetings and communications with his old employer. In December 2023, Adam Mather quit his $135,086 state job and registered as a Frankfort lobbyist for the nursing home industry’s trade group, becoming president of the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities.
Maryland – Delegate’s Canceled Check Answers One Campaign Finance Question, Raises Another
Yahoo News – Bryan Sears (Maryland Matters) | Published: 1/23/2025
A state delegate may have inadvertently run afoul of Maryland campaign finance law as she sought to address questions recently about a missing 2023 payment to rent a venue for a campaign event. There were allegations that Del. Dana Jones failed to report a payment or in-kind contribution for the venue. Jones produced canceled checks that show her campaign paid the Annapolis Maritime Museum $850 for use of the venue. But the checks also showed something else: Jones’s signature at the bottom of the payments.
Mississippi – MS Secretary of State Outlines Campaign Finance Reform Among His Legislative Priorities for 2025
MSN – Pam Dankins (Mississippi Clarion Ledger) | Published: 1/16/2025
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson outlined his legislative priorities during a press conference, continuing his call for campaign finance reform and voicing the importance of election integrity in the state. During last year’s legislative session, Watson pushed lawmakers to approve and pay for a new campaign finance reporting system, so the public can easily view and search donations to candidates. His efforts were struck down.
Montana – Montana Senate Republican Leaders Looking into Use of $170K of State Funds by Former President
Yahoo News – Micah Drew (Daily Montanan) | Published: 1/17/2025
Sen. Jason Ellsworth, the former Montana Senate president, denied any wrongdoing in connection with a $170,000 no-bid contract he signed in his final days in office, an expenditure that is now under scrutiny by new Senate leadership. The contract is between Ellsworth and Bryce Eggleston of Agile Analytics. A Federal Trade Commission case from more than a decade ago identified Ellsworth and Eggleston as having a previous professional relationship, with businesses registered at the same address.
New Jersey – George Norcross’ Attorneys Argue in Court Their ‘Well-Connected’ Client Turned Camden Around as They Seek Dismissal
WHYY – P. Kenneth Burns | Published: 1/22/2025
New Jersey Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw heard arguments over whether the corruption indictment against George Norcross III and his five co-defendants should be dismissed. They are accused of executing an enterprise that muscled out Norcross’s business rivals from owning properties on the Camden waterfront, while reaping benefits of a tax incentive program that was written by Philip Norcross. Defense attorney Michael Critchley described the arguments as “a complaint about how our political and economic system begins and operates.”
New York – NYC Council Pushing Lobbying Ban on Mayor’s Office Staffers – but Excludes Itself from Crackdown
MSN – Carl Campanile (New York Post) | Published: 1/17/2025
The New York City Council is poised to pass legislation that extends lobbying restrictions to cover more power brokers in the mayor’s office after they leave the government but the tougher regulation to crack down on potential influence peddling excludes the council’s own members and staff. The measure comes at a time when Mayor Eric Adams is contesting federal corruption and bribery charges, and several former top aides have also either resigned or face criminal charges.
New York – Adams Legal Defense Fund Almost $1 Million in Debt as Donations Dwindle
The City – Yoav Gonan | Published: 1/16/2025
New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ legal defense fund raised just $2,200 from two donors over the last three months, even as his expenses to battle federal corruption charges mount ahead of an expected April trial, new filings show. The trust has refunded roughly $167,000 in contributions, many of which came from family members of people engaged in business with city government, who are prohibited from giving.
North Carolina – To Gain a Court Seat, Republicans Seek to Throw Out Thousands of Votes
MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 1/23/2025
The election for an open seat on the North Carolina Supreme Cort may be decided by the very justices who will sit alongside whoever is ultimately declared the winner. The fight over the court seat reveals the intensifying politics of judicial elections and the spread of election litigation in the years since Donald Trump unsuccessfully challenged his 2020 presidential loss. The state Supreme Court justices blocked the elections board from certifying Justice Allison Riggs’ narrow win so they could consider a challenge. The justices recently kept that order in place but said they would let a lower court consider the challenge first.
Ohio – Ramaswamy Will Bow Out of Cost-Cutting Project and Run for Governor in Ohio
DNyuz – Theodore Schleifer and Madeleine Ngo (New York Times) | Published: 1/20/2025
The advisory group called the Department of Government Efficiency is losing one of its leaders before it even begins. Vivek Ramaswamy, whom President Trump named in November as co-leader of the initiative alongside Elon Musk, will quit the project because he plans to run for governor of Ohio.
Ohio – American Electric Power Pays $19M to Settle with SEC Over Its HB6 Entanglement
MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/22/2025
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission agreed to enter a $19 million settlement with American Electric Power (AEP) after regulators accused the company of misleading investors about its involvement in a criminal corruption scandal. Four men, including ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, have been criminally convicted of racketeering. AEP had insisted that neither the company nor its subsidiaries contributed to a dark money nonprofit Householder controlled. But tax records show AEP contributed $1.2 million between 2017 and 2020 to two Householder-controlled groups.
Ohio – Feds Charge Former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones, Ex-Senior Vice President in Bribery Scheme
MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/17/2025
Former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling, a former lobbyist for the company, face federal racketeering charges for their roles in a public corruption scandal to pass a $1 billion bailout for the utility’s nuclear plants. The charges come nearly a year after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost charged the men in state court over some of the same conduct. Typically, the U.S. Justice Department does not charge for the same crimes after the state, but the new indictment covers more ground.
Ohio – Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted Will Succeed JD Vance in the US Senate
MSN – Julie Carr Smyth and Stephen Groves (Associated Press) | Published: 1/17/2025
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted will succeed Vice President JD Vance in the U.S. Senate. Gov. Mike DeWine’s decision ends months of jockeying among top Ohio Republicans for the seat, which Vance had held for less than two years. DeWine said a large consideration was that Husted has extensive government experience that Ohio’s last two U.S. senators, Vance and businessperson Bernie Moreno, both political novices when elected, lacked.
Ohio – Ohio Utility Regulators Move Ethics Questions to Start of Application Process as Part of Reforms
WOSU – Renee Fox | Published: 1/16/2025
Five people have applied to fill an opening on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). There is something new about the process this year. PUCO spokesperson Matt Schilling said this time the agency required applicants to fill out Ohio Ethics Commission forms in order to apply, instead of later in the process.
Oklahoma – Second Ethics Probe Examines Ryan Walters for Social Media, Political Activity
NonDoc – Michael McNutt and Sasha Ndisabiye | Published: 1/17/2025
With his handling of 2022 campaign funds already being questioned, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is also being investigated over whether certain posts on social media and certain comments on issues mostly concerning Donald Trump violate ethics rules about the use of state money, property, or time. The Oklahoma Ethics Commission authorized Executive Director Lee Anne Bruce Boone to “pursue prosecution in district court.”
Oregon – New Report Scrutinizes Lobbyists Working for NW Natural Gas and for Public Health, Climate Groups
Yahoo News – Alex Baumhardt (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 1/16/2025
Two lobbying firms advocating on behalf of Oregon’s largest gas utility are also lobbying on behalf of conservation and public health groups and local governments interested in ending natural gas hookups and combating climate change caused by burning gas. Conflicts-of-interest between NW Natural and a number of government bodies and nonprofits were analyzed in a new report. It calls on the Oregon Legislature to require lobbyists to disclose their compensation and their positions on specific bills, so they are not being paid to fight for and against policies that are at odds with one another.
Wyoming – Wyoming’s Money Managers Fear Losses from Freedom Caucus’ Investment Restrictions
WyoFile – Andrew Graham | Published: 1/20/2025
The House Freedom Caucus’ proposed ban on “environmental, social and governance” investing threatens Wyoming’s pensions and stock market returns, the state’s investment chiefs say. Those warnings sparked a flurry of changes by the legislation’s sponsor, Rep. Christopher Knapp, as he scrambled to achieve the caucus’ ideological goals without tanking the state’s returns.
January 23, 2025 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Mississippi: “MS Secretary of State Outlines Campaign Finance Reform Among His Legislative Priorities for 2025” by Pam Dankins (Mississippi Clarion Ledger) for MSN National: “Patagonia’s Ties to Nonprofit Raise Campaign Finance Concerns” by Tony Biasotti (Ventura County Star) for Yahoo News Elections […]
Campaign Finance
Mississippi: “MS Secretary of State Outlines Campaign Finance Reform Among His Legislative Priorities for 2025” by Pam Dankins (Mississippi Clarion Ledger) for MSN
National: “Patagonia’s Ties to Nonprofit Raise Campaign Finance Concerns” by Tony Biasotti (Ventura County Star) for Yahoo News
Elections
Ohio: “Ramaswamy Will Bow Out of Cost-Cutting Project and Run for Governor in Ohio” by Theodore Schleifer and Madeleine Ngo (New York Times) for DNyuz
Ethics
Colorado: “Colorado Senate Committee to Review Ethics Complaint Against Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Politics
National: “Trump Promotes Meme Coin, Raising Ethics Issues as Value Soars” by Tony Romm (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Justice Department Says It Will Prosecute Local Officials Over Immigration Enforcement” by Maria Sacchetti and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) for MSN
Ohio: “American Electric Power Pays $19M to Settle with SEC Over Its HB6 Entanglement” by Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN
Lobbying
National: “Trump Revokes Lobbying Ban for Biden Appointees” by Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) for Yahoo News
January 22, 2025 •
Meet Our Expert – Dave McPeek

The first person that new State and Federal Communications, Inc. employees meet on their first day is Dave McPeek. As our Manager of Operations and Facilities, he wears many hats and one of those hats is helping to onboard new […]
The first person that new State and Federal Communications, Inc. employees meet on their first day is Dave McPeek. As our Manager of Operations and Facilities, he wears many hats and one of those hats is helping to onboard new employees by showing them around the office and giving them the rundown of our digital and safety systems to get them acclimated to our environment.
Dave brings nearly 40 years of experience and a storied background in different aspects of business, programming, and computer and facility operations. Before coming to State and Federal Communications, Inc., he held roles including Operations Supervisor, Programmer, Account Manager, and Manager of Special Projects for several offices.
While Dave had already earned an accounting degree and a minor in programming during the mid-1980s, he returned to the University of Akron in the early 2000s to refocus his career path after being sidelined by a company acquisition. What began as an immersion into newer database programming technologies ultimately became an opportunity as a student to do a co-op for two semesters for State and Federal Communications, Inc.
“It was fun, and it was different,” he mused. “The excitement of the new industry and the potential within a growing company led me to accept a job offer within the IT department upon graduation.”
The company was growing and with it, the needs of the technology infrastructure, procedures, and acquiring more space within the existing building also grew. By bringing on Dave, the small department doubled in size at the time.
“The two of us in IT did whatever needed to be done behind the scenes, whether it was with our computers, the network, or dealing with the landlord, building, and vendors. I tried to assume as much of the non-technical load as possible so the Director of Information Technology could do the heavy lifting with the programming and development he specialized in at the time. As the company grew, the department also grew in staff to support evolving client and staff needs in the fast-moving world of technology. With that growth, I became more focused on the non-technical work and found that I enjoyed it,” Dave explained.
While every day can be very different in Operations and Facilities, the primary focus of Dave’s days is in keeping our office environment running as smoothly, as comfortable, and as safe and in compliance as possible. He also plays a big part in any larger projects when they occur to enable other staff to remain focused on their client-related activities. “It’s whatever needs to be done,” he explained.
Dave’s approach to the work is to ensure things around the office run as smoothly as possible so the entire staff is supported in their day-to-day responsibilities.
“I think innovation can exponentially help make sure things are working as well as possible. You innovate to improve, and everyone should benefit when done properly,” he explained. “I see it as a win-win situation when I have an opportunity to help our staff in any way provide even a bit more of their industry-leading talents for the benefit of our clients. That is a good day.”
The State and Federal Communications, Inc. team is full of experts you can trust. Learn more about what we can do for you at https://stateandfed.com/services/.
January 22, 2025 •
Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Kentucky: “Biden Pardons Kentuckian Jerry Lundergan for Campaign Finance Conviction” by Jack Brammer (Kentucky Lantern) for Yahoo News Ethics National: “Trump Signs Order to End ‘Government Censorship’ of Social Media” by Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) for MSN National: “Clemency for Oath Keepers, Proud […]
Campaign Finance
Kentucky: “Biden Pardons Kentuckian Jerry Lundergan for Campaign Finance Conviction” by Jack Brammer (Kentucky Lantern) for Yahoo News
Ethics
National: “Trump Signs Order to End ‘Government Censorship’ of Social Media” by Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Clemency for Oath Keepers, Proud Boys Fuels Extremism Threat, Experts Say” by Spencer Hsu, Ellie Silverman, and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “DOJ Can’t Show Jack Smith’s Report on Trump Classified Docs Case to Lawmakers, Cannon Rules” by Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney (Politico) for MSN
Florida: “Judge Dismisses Díaz de la Portilla ‘Shakedown’ Lawsuit, Citing Legislative Immunity” by Tess Riski (Miami Herald) for MSN
Illinois: “Man Banned from Chicago Park District Jobs After Scandal Now Working for Alderman” by Jake Sheridan (Chicago Tribune) for MSN
Indiana: “3 More Women Accuse Indiana Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor of Sexual Misconduct” by Hayleigh Colombo, Tony Cook, and Kayla Dwyer (Indianapolis Star) for MSN
Legislative Issues
Wyoming: “Wyoming’s Money Managers Fear Losses from Freedom Caucus’ Investment Restrictions” by Andrew Graham for WyoFile
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.